Katie Sheen: Turning Personal Pain into Purpose Through Soul Nutrition and the Astro Brain Tumour Fund

At Aunty M Brain Tumours, I had the pleasure of speaking with Katie Sheen, founder of Soul Nutrition and the Astro Brain Tumour Fund, whose inspiring personal journey shows how adversity can be transformed into compassion, support and hope.

Katie’s story is one of family love, resilience and a determination to help others facing the challenges of brain tumours. Her lived experience has gone on to inspire not only a charity supporting people with low-grade gliomas, but also an innovative wellbeing platform helping people build calmer, healthier and happier lives. ()

A Family Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Katie’s involvement in the brain tumour world began in 2000 when her sister’s husband, Paul Chamberlain, was diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma at just 30 years old.

At the time, Katie discovered there was very little UK research or dedicated support for people living with low-grade gliomas. Rather than accept that reality, she chose to act.

In 2001, she founded the Astro Brain Tumour Fund, with the aim of offering hope, practical support, information and raising funds for much-needed research. ()

Why the Name “Astro”?

The charity’s name carries deep meaning.

Paul himself suggested the name “Astro,” inspired by the astrocyte brain cell linked to astrocytoma. The word also means star, reflecting the family’s wish that the charity would become a light in the darkness for others facing similar diagnoses. ()

Building a Legacy of Support

Since its founding, the Astro Brain Tumour Fund has helped fund multiple research projects into low-grade gliomas and has continued to offer information, advocacy and support to patients and families.

The charity has also contributed funding to the Brain Tumour Research Low-Grade Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth, helping advance understanding of these often-overlooked tumours. ()

How Personal Experience Led to Soul Nutrition

Alongside her charity work, Katie’s own life experiences shaped a new direction.

She discovered mindfulness in 2001 as she coped with the emotional impact of her family’s brain tumour journey. Later, when she underwent cancer treatment herself in 2015, mindfulness again became a source of strength.

That experience inspired Katie to focus full-time on helping others through wellbeing, mindfulness and practical tools for emotional resilience. This eventually became Soul Nutrition. ()

What is Soul Nutrition?

Soul Nutrition is Katie’s interactive wellbeing platform designed to help people nurture a calmer, happier life.

The website offers a range of accessible tools and resources including:

Mindfulness meditations
Guided reflections
Courses and workshops
A Happiness Calendar
The SHIFT life coaching model
Nourish, a mindful eating diary
Books, podcasts and wellbeing resources

Katie’s approach is warm, practical and deeply human. Rather than offering unrealistic quick fixes, Soul Nutrition encourages people to make gentle, sustainable changes that support emotional wellbeing. ()

Why Katie’s Story Matters to the Brain Tumour Community

Brain tumours affect far more than physical health. They can bring uncertainty, fear, grief, anxiety and long-term emotional strain for patients and families alike.

Katie understands this first-hand.

Her work recognises that healing is not only about treatment plans and scans—it is also about mental wellbeing, resilience, hope and learning how to live fully despite life’s challenges.

That message is incredibly valuable for anyone affected by a brain tumour.

Turning Pain into Purpose

What stood out most in our interview was Katie’s compassion.

Instead of being defined by difficult experiences, she has used them to create meaningful support for others—through charity work, education, mindfulness and advocacy.

She reminds us that even after life’s hardest moments, something beautiful can still grow.

Final Thoughts

Katie Sheen’s story is one of extraordinary purpose.

From founding the Astro Brain Tumour Fund after a family diagnosis, to creating Soul Nutrition as a source of calm and resilience, she has spent years helping others navigate some of life’s toughest journeys.

At Aunty M Brain Tumours, we are proud to share stories like Katie’s—stories that offer hope, practical inspiration and proof that no one has to face hardship alone.